Distal phalanx bandage

ABSTRACT

A bandage for the distal phalanxes is provided. The bandage consists of a strip of adhesive coated material having arcuate longitudinal sides which are substantially parallel to one another.

United States Patent lnventor Edwin L. Maxwell 833 6th St. SW.,Washington, D.C. 20024 Appl. No. 773,718 Filed Nov. 6, 1968 PatentedFeb. 16, 1971 DISTAL PHALANX BANDAGE 6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl. 128/157, [28/165, 128/169, 206/59 Int. Cl. t. A611 Field ofSearch 128/155, 156, 157, 165,166,167, 170, 171,9],268; 206/57, 61

[5 6] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,369,210 2/1945 Capossela128/165 3,247,845 4/1966 Kennedy 128/156 Primary Examiner-Adele M. EagerAttorney-Millen, Raptes & White ABSTRACT: A bandage for the distalphalanxes is provided. The bandage consists of a strip of adhesivecoated material having archate longitudinal sides which aresubstantially parallel to one another.

PATENTEUFEBISIBYI 3.563237 INVENTOR EDWIN MAXWELL ATTORNEY BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION This invention relates generally to bandaging and moreparticularly to an improved bandageadapted to enclose the distal phalanxof a finger.

Bandages of the general type to which this invention pertains are wellknown in the art. Such bandages generally comprise a strip of adhesivematerial having parallel, straight sides. Prior art bandages find use inmany varied locations on the body, generally being useful for coveringcontusions on relatively large surfaces of the body, or partially orfully enclosing smaller members of the body. Such bandages are usefulfor most applications; however, they suffer some shortcomings whenbandages must be applied in the area of the distal phalanx or theportion of a finger after the last joint. Due to the substantiallyfrustoconical configuration of the exterior surface of the distalphalanx, straight side bandages are difficult to apply in a neat, securefashion. The ends of the bandage, due tothe frustoconical configurationof this portion of the finger, will, when the bandage is applied, extendat angles to the longitudinal centerline of the bandage, tend to overlapthe joint of the finger, and present isolated corners which readily workloose when the finger is'flexed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides animpr o'ved bandagefor a distal phalanx which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior artby furnishing a bandage configuration, which, when applied to the distalphalanx, assumes a generally frustoconical configuration to conform tothe configuration of that portion of the finger.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a bandage whichassumes a frustoconical configuration when applied to a distal phalanxby furnishing a strip which has parallel, arcuate longitudinal sidesthereto, so that, when wrapped in an end-overlapping arrangement, thebandage assumes the geometrical configurationof a frustum of a cone.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become moreapparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the followingdetailed description when viewed in light of the accompanying drawingswherein like numerals throughout the FIGS. thereof indicate likecomponents and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a bandage in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the bandage of FIG. 1 taken along thelines 2-2 thereof;

FIG. 3 is a plan view, similar to FIG. 1, of another bandage inaccordance with the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bandage of FIG. 3 shown wrapped inan end-overlapping configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now specifically toFIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the bandage comprises an adhesive coatedstrip 10 having a pair of parallel, arcuate longitudinal sides 12 and 14one side being convex and the other concave.

Transverse ends 16 and 18, disposed normal to a cord line 20, drawnthrough the ends of the arcuate side 12, define the ends of the strips.A pad of absorbent material 22 is disposed approximately at the centerofthe strip 10 as is well known in the art.

In FIG. 3 another embodiment in accordance with the invention'isillustrated. In this embodiment, components of the preceding FIG. areindicated by like numerals only of the next higher order. An adhesivestrip is provided with a pair of arcuate longitudinal sides 112 and 114generated about a common center 115. Transverse ends of the strip 116and 118 are disposed along radii 120a and 120k extending from the centerpoint 115.

In FIG. 4, the strip is illustrated in an overlapping configuration withthe end 116 overlapping the end 118 so that the strip assumes aconfiguration of the frustum of a cone.

As can be readily seen, the bandage provided by this invention willfurnish a neat, compact and readily applicable bandage particularlysuited and specifically intended for use in encircling smaller membersof the body such as the distal phalanx. As an example, bandages inaccordance with the invention measure between I% and 3% inches in lengthand three-eights and seven-eighths inches in width.

What has been set forth above is intended primarily as illustrative toenable those skilled in the art in the practice of the invention. Itshould be understood, however, that within the scope of the appendedclaims, the invention may be practiced other than is specificallydescribed.

lclaim:

l. A bandage for a distal phalanx or the like comprising an elongatedstrip of adhesive coated material, said strip having a pair oflongitudinal sides terminating in transverse ends, said longitudinalsides being arcuate and substantially parallel to one another, one ofsaid sides being concave and the other being convex.

2. A bandage in accordance with claim 1 wherein said transverse ends aredisposed substantially normal to a cord line intersecting the ends ofone of said longitudinal sides.

3. A bandage in accordance with claim 1 wherein said longitudinal sidesare arcuate about a common center and wherein transverse ends aredisposed along radii extending from said center point.

4. A bandage as defined by Claim 1 having a length of about Hit-3%inches and a width of three-eighths to seven-eighths of an inch.

5. A bandage as defined by claim 1 having a pad of absorbent materialdisposed approximately at the center of the strip;

6. A bandage as defined by claim 4 having a pad of absorbent materialdisposed approximately at the center of the strip.

1. A bandage for a distal phalanx or the like comprising an elongatedstrip of adhesive coated material, said strip having a pair oflongitudinal sides terminating in transverse ends, said longitudinalsides being arcuate and substantially parallel to one another, one ofsaid sides being concave and the other being convex.
 2. A bandage inaccordance with claim 1 wherein said transverse ends are disposedsubstantially normal to a cord line intersecting the ends of one of saidlongitudinal sides.
 3. A bandage in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidlongitudinal sides are arcuate about a common center and whereintransverse ends are disposed along radii extending from said centerpoint.
 4. A bandage as defined by Claim 1 having a length of about 1 3/8-3 1/4 inches and a width of three-eighths to seven-eighths of an inch.5. A bandage as defined by claim 1 having a pad of absorbent materialdisposed approximately at the center of the strip.
 6. A bandage asdefined by claim 4 having a pad of absorbent material disposedapproximately at the center of the strip.